As He Hath Promised

The Lord binds Himself to His Word of Promise, and we command His fulfilment when we obey the conditions attached thereto. Ponder the words, “as He hath promised,” in the following Scriptures.1. Bestowment. After Jehovah had brought Israel into the land of Canaan, “as He” had promised (see seven “I wills” in Exo_6:6-8), they were to call to mind God’s giving in redemption by keeping the feast of the Passover. A lively memory causes the heart to sing in loving praise. To forget His redeeming love, His saving grace, His liberating, His supplying gifts, His gracious presence, His guiding Word, and His willing service, is to express the deepest ingratitude.

2. Enlargement. “When the Lord thy God shall enlarge thy border, as He hath promised, thou mayest eat flesh” (Deu_12:20). Previously to this command, the children of Israel were prohibited from eating only such animal food as had been offered in sacrifice, but now they could have as much as they desired; and the reason given is, because they were enlarged, that is, having greater facilities for production, there was greater provision for supply. An enlargement of soul always means an enlargement of capacity to appreciate what the Lord gives.

3. Avouchment. “The Lord hath avouched thee this day to be His peculiar people” (“a people for His own possession,” R.V.), “as He hath promised thee” (Deu_26:18). Israel had avouched the Lord to be their God—Deu_26:17, and He responds by taking what they gave. Nothing gives the Lord greater pleasure than to possess us when we want to be possessed; when we love Him well we are willing to let Him take all. Adam’s sleeping—Gen_2:21; Abram’s giving—Gen_22:16; Rebekah’s going—Gen_24:58; Moses’ forsaking—Heb_11:24-27; Ruth’s clinging—Rth_1:16; Jonathan’s surrendering—1Sa_18:4; David’s growing—1 Chron. xii; mighty men’s risking—1Ch_11:17-19; widow’s casting—Luk_12:59; Mary’s anointing—Joh_12:3, are a few illustrations of what results when the Lord possesses.

4. Accomplishment. “For the Lord your God fighteth for you, as He hath promised you” (Jos_23:10). Israel was an instrument of judgment to repel the inhabitants of Canaan because of their sins. We who believe in Christ have foes of a different character to contend with, namely, principalities and powers in heavenly places. When we walk with the Conqueror we shall surely conquer. Mark what the “Lord your God” is said to have done all down Joshua 23, and don’t forget the whole reason is in the “for” of Jos_23:10. When the Lord drives out we can chase out our enemies.

5. Fulfilment. “The Gospel of God, which He had promised afore by His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom_1:1-3). The Scriptures are meaningless unless we see Christ in them, but they are meanful if we see Him. Adam, the man; Abel, the shepherd; Noah, the saviour; Enoch, the godly; Abraham, the giver; Isaac, the offered; Jacob, the toiler; and Joseph, the provider, foregleam His glory. The offerings are types of the many-sidedness of His atoning sacrifice; and the messages of the Psalms and the prophets proclaim His worth and work.

6. Advent. “Now He hath promised... Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also Heaven” (Heb_12:26). If the passage is pondered from which the writer to the Hebrew Christians quotes—Hag_2:5-9, it will be seen it has to do with the Lord’s Coming in power to set up His Kingdom on the earth. The nations will then recognise the Lord in Jerusalem, for when He shakes the earth and the Heavens, and the nations, then the nations will acknowledge the Lord, for “the precious things of all the nations shall come” (Hag_2:7, R.V.), that is, shall be brought as offerings—see Zep_3:10; Zec_14:16.

7. Enrichment. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation, for when he is tried he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him” (Jas_1:12; Jas_2:5). Crown-wearers are first of all cross-bearers. Those who stand the test of trial take their place among those who have triumphed.